DISABLED Scots will have to go without food, heating and clothes because of the bedroom tax, a charity have warned.

A Capability Scotland report exposes the extent of the misery being inflicted on some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people by the Con-Dems.

The research emerged after more than 1000 people took to the streets at the weekend in a Daily Record-backed protest against the bedroom tax.

Trade unionists, local campaigners and ordinary people – many carrying Daily Record banners – gathered in George Square, Glasgow, to highlight the plight of thousands of families who are having their housing benefits slashed.

Today’s Capability Scotland report shows that disabled people are bearing the brunt of the pain.

The survey reveals that one in four disabled people is likely to face a housing benefit cut as a result of the bedroom tax and will have to give up essentials to make up the money.

Those most likely to be affected are couples who need to sleep in separate rooms because of a disability or who need an extra room to store equipment such as wheelchairs, hoists and walking frames.

Only five per cent of the disabled people in the survey felt their house was too big for them.

Almost nine out of 10 said it was unrealistic to move because of a shortage of smaller, accessible properties.

She added: “We are facing a situation where people are being forced out of homes which have been adapted to meet their needs into smaller properties which will also need to be adapted.

“We hope that the Scottish Affairs Committee will consider this report carefully and do everything in its power to mitigate the effects of this appalling tax for disabled people and their families.”

SNP MSP Jamie Hepburn said: “It is appalling to hear that disabled Scots are going without essentials such as food, heating and clothes to make up for the loss in their income caused by this devastating bedroom tax.”

Saturday’s demo was hailed a huge success by former MSP Tommy Sheridan, who is chairman of the Scottish Anti Bedroom Tax Federation.

He said: “Many of the people who attended the demo are not affected by the tax but they are offended by it.

“They see the sheer injustice of it. It is absolutely obscene to target the poorest and most vulnerable families in this callous and cruel way. What we witnessed in the demo is that communities throughout Scotland won’t stand for it.”

Another protest will be held at the Scottish Tory party conference in Stirling this week.

Case studies

Lorraine King, 56

MOTHER-OF-TWO Lorraine faces a bedroom tax of £92 a month.

The 56-year-old, who has heart disease and only one functioning lung, lives in a specially-adapted four-bedroom house.

Her grown-up children have moved out and she is aware that she could live in a smaller property.

But Lorraine, of Penilee, Glasgow, has been on the waiting list for an adapted house for more than three years.

She said: “I have been stressed to the hilt but I wanted to attend the protest because we have to make a stand.”

Colin and Rosalind Weir

THE Weirs say they have no idea how they are going to pay the tax.

Colin, 58, and Rosalind, 56, live in a three-bedroom home in East Kilbride.

They survive on a combined Jobseekers Allowance of £420 per month, with monthly housing benefit of £236.

Colin has been unemployed since being laid off as a forklift driver in 2010.

They face a bedroom tax of £18 a week.

Colin said: “Life’s hard enough as it is and this is just another kick in the teeth.”

Susan Cook, 45

SINGLE mum Susan has paid one £52 instalment of bedroom tax – but says she won’t pay any more.

She lives in a three-bedroom home with her 13-year-old son Conor in East Kilbride and receives £350 a month for her part-time cleaning job.

Susan also receives £20.30 a week in child benefit and working tax credits of £57 per week.

She said: “I don’t know what I’m going to do.

“There’s nothing left at the end of the month anyway but this is going to make things impossible for us. It makes me really angry.”

Avril Davidson, 50

DISABLED Avril will have to find £18 a week for the bedroom tax.

She lives in a two-bedroom home in Prestonfield, Edinburgh.

In reality, her spare room is very rarely spare. She is often in agony and friends stay to help look after her.

Avril receives around £630 a month in benefits. Her power bills eat up £100 per month, she pays £40 a month towards her rent and the rest goes on food and essentials.

She said: “My friend helped me travel to Glasgow on the train for the protest. I was in agony but I wanted to be there.”